Exotic adventures wrapped in 5-star elegance. Experience Australia’s natural wonders and cosmopolitan cities in absolute elegance and style. Wake up to the spectacular view of the sun rising over the Sydney Opera House, escape to the Whitsundays and enjoy the natural beauty, tranquility and adventure of Hayman Island. Indulge in a sumptuous tropical spa therapy or for the more adventurous, discover the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. In the Outback, savor a drop of Australia’s best wine and gourmet cheeses, while watching the sun set over Uluru (Ayers Rock).

The Best Luxury Hotels

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, Sydney : This AAA-rated five-star hotel combines old-world luxury with a wonderful bar and nice views.

Park Hyatt Sydney : You’ll have to book well in advance to snag a room at Sydney’s best-positioned property, at the edge of the city’s historic Rocks district. Many rooms have fabulous views across the harbor to the Sydney Opera House.

Sebel Reef House (Cairns, Queensland ): Everyone who stays here says the same thing: “It feels like home.� Airy rooms look into tropical gardens, waterfalls cascade into the pools, mosquito nets drape over the beds, and you could swear pith-helmeted colonial officers will be back any minute to finish their gin-and-tonics in the Brigadier Bar. Idyllic Palm Cove Beach is just across the road.

Lizard Island (off Cairns, Queensland ): Lizard Island has long been popular with Americans for its game fishing, wonderful coral and diving, smart food, and simple upscale lodge accommodations.

Bedarra Island (off Mission Beach, Queensland): Presidents and princesses in need of a little time out come to this small rainforest island ringed by beaches. The timber villas are cozy, and the discreet staff assures privacy. Best of all, though, is the extravagant 24-hour open bar.

Orpheus Island Resort (off Townsville or Cairns, Queensland): Beloved of film stars and others who relish privacy, this resort has simple, attractive rooms; good food; a marvelous sense of seclusion; and a beautiful location in the curve of a palm-lined bay. The only way in is by seaplane.

Hayman (Whitsunday Islands, Queensland; ): Located on Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, this is Australia’s most glamorous resort. It’s got classy rooms, excellent restaurants, staff keen to please, a superb hexagonal swimming pool, and a fleet of charter boats waiting to spirit you off to the Reef or your own deserted isle.

Longitude 131 (Uluru/Ayres Rock, Red Centre, Nothern Territory; ): A newcomer to the Ayres Rock resort scene, Longitude 131 is an African-style luxury safari camp set in the sand dunes and with great views of Uluru/Ayres Rock. It’s very exclusive and very expensive, but you experience the Outback in style.

El Questro Homestead (The Kimberley, Western Australia): Charming country decor spiced up with Indonesian antiques, good cooking, and a dramatic gorge location make this glamorous homestead on a million-acre cattle station popular with jet-setters. Cruise wild gorges, heli-fish for barramundi, and hike to Aboriginal rock art while you’re here.

Cable Beach Club Resort Broome (Broome, Western Australia): Chinatown meets the Outback at this elegant corrugated-iron-and-pagoda-studded resort lying low along glorious Cable Beach in the romantic pearling port of Broome. Three to-die-for suites, decorated with superb Asian antiques and paintings by luminaries of the Australian art world.

The Hotel Como (Melbourne, Victoria): Great service, nice rooms, and free plastic ducks make this one of our favorite top-flight Australian hotels.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra (Canberra, ACT;): Visiting heads of state and pop stars make this their residence when staying in Canberra. It’s a 2-minute drive from the central shopping district, and a stone’s throw from Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle.

Kangaroos, Kookaburras and Great Golf

When the sun creeps over the horizon and as the first birds begin calling from the woodlands, the distinctive sound of club on ball can be heard at any one of Australia’s unique golf courses. Australia - A country the size of the continental United States, can only be described as a country of many contrasts! From scorching deserts to miles of empty sandy white beaches, to craggy coastlines and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef….Australia is truly an amazing place! Imagine being watched by kangaroos as you tee off in the early light of morning, or being laughed at by the raucous kookaburras, as you miss a 6 inch birdie.

From the challenge of playing the sandbelt courses of Melbourne to the tall gum tree and natural bushland charm of the sun soaked Gold Coast with its lush fairways and greens, Australia provides a diverse range of golfing opportunities that cannot be matched elsewhere on the planet. This vast continent offers courses set in mystical landscapes where rainforests, palm trees, coral reefs, and clear blue skies provide impressive backdrops to some of the world’s finest courses.

A typical Aussie golf tour might begin in Sydney at the Peter Thomson designed Camden Lakeside course, whose gently undulating links are very reminiscent of some of the famous holes at St. Andrews, Gleneagles, or Muirfield. Camden is a fine course, highly rated with excellent facilities, that is always enjoyable to play.

New South Wales, a Dr. Alister Mackenzie designed course is one of the “greats” and ranked number 5 in Australia. Situated at the site of Captain Cook’s landing in Australia at La Perouse, it is not only a superb course, but offers some outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Lakes, situated in the city, was redesigned in the 70’s by Devlin/Von Hagge and is renowned for its water hazards. Eleven of the 18 holes feature water, so the route is both picturesque and challenging. The Lakes has a long history of Australian Championships and is rated 14 in Australia.

The Australian, founded in 1882 and re-designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1977, this is the most prestigious club in Sydney. A very testing layout, with water being the feature on several holes, it demands very accurate shot making. Ranked number 4 in Australia.

Kingston Heath in Melbourne, designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie and ranked number 2 in Australia, is one of the greats of the world. Fast, subtly breaking greens, excellent bunkering with superbly interesting holes are the main features of a course that caters equally for all standards of golfers.

Cape Schanck, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, is right on the coast of the Mornington Peninsula in typical links country. Large undulating greens require accurate approaches, and with the sea breeze which is ever present, it is a memorable test of golf.

The Gold Coast, near Brisbane, is Australia’s holiday capital with an international reputation for golden beaches, clean surf, a superb climate, and impressive resort golf courses. Here we find the Hope Island championship course designed by 5 times British Open Champion Peter Thompson and ranked number 8 in Australia. Peter has created a course rich in the traditional features of the great courses in Scotland and Ireland. A typical “links” with undulating fairways, and great par 3’s, particularly the 17th over water into the prevailing breeze.

Robina Woods: This private club featuring Australian native flora and wildlife is fast gaining an enviable reputation. Only constructed in 1989, it has already earned a ranking of number 49. Tree lined fairways in most cases, and on the others it is water that demands well placed tee shots.

Palm Meadows: Designed by Graham Marsh in 1987 and ranked number 46. The course is set amongst 240 hectares of picturesque lakes, landscaped gardens, and palm groves. Very enjoyable to play for all standards of golfers, it is situated in the heart of the Gold Coast.

Sanctuary Cove: Pines & Palms courses: Both courses are highly rated with the Pines by Arnold Palmer the highest at 18. Both feature a lot of water that will test even the best players. Sanctuary Cove is Australia’s largest resort and both these courses complement the development. Home annually of the Australian Skins game.

Cairns, in tropical north Queensland, is home to the Paradise Palms course, designed by Graham Marsh in 1990. It is ranked 29 and set in lush tropical splendor. Accuracy is required to play the 6 lakes and 96 bunkers set throughout the course. Measuring 7255 yards from the back tees, it has 4 tee positions on each hole to make it enjoyable for all.

Mirage Golf Course: This resort course designed by Peter Thomson in 1988 features water on several holes plus being bordered by the Coral Sea. A pleasurable experience to play, it is well designed, but an unusual feature is that it comprises 6 par 3’s, 6 par 4’s, and 6 par 5’s.
While in the Cairns area, take a break from golf and feel the wonder that is Australia. Here you can experience aboriginal culture, take a rainforest tour, and dive or snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. Tropical North Queensland is a paradise for the active and adventurous traveler.

Royal Adelaide: Designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie in 1926, this links course is another of the “greats” in Australia. Excellent bunkering with fast contoured greens and good use of the terrain are the features that stand out on this magnificent course that is ranked number 9.

Royal Canberra: An excellent course featuring large contoured greens which demand accurate approaches. Rated number 10 in Australia, it is set among majestic eucalyptus. One of the more unusual features is the number of kangaroos that reside there.

Great golf, incredible scenery, unique wildlife, a 40,000 year old culture, and friendly people await you in Australia.

Diving and Snorkelling

The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, is one of the best diving and snorkelling areas in the world. Its underwater wonders have to be seen to be believed.

The world’s largest World Heritage area, the reef stretches 2,000 kilometres along the coast of Queensland and covers an area the size of Italy.

Dotted with reefs, cays and islands, its turquoise waters harbour a profusion of marine life, from delicate starfish and anemones to multicoloured fish, harmless reef sharks and turtles.

Snorkelling and dive tours leave from Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsundays and Port Douglas. A five-day learn to dive course will cost between $180-$500.

Ningaloo Reef, in Western Australia, is just as spectacular as the Great Barrier Reef but much less well known.

The reef shadows the coast of the North West Cape, around 1,200 kilometres north of Perth. Extending for 250 kilometres, Ningaloo is home to hundreds of species of fish and coral as well as dolphins, humpback whales and whale sharks, the world’s largest fish.

Whale sharks congregate in large numbers off Ningaloo from late March to June, when the plankton-rich waters draw them close to shore. Snorkelling alongside one of these ocean giants is an unforgettable experience and can be arranged through diving centres located in the townships of Exmouth and Coral Bay.

Further south, you can interact with wild dolphins at Monkey Mia, on the shores of beautiful Shark Bay. Local dolphins have been coming right up to the beach to be fed by rangers since the 1960s.

Elsewhere, dolphins can also be regularly seen at Port Stephens and Jervis Bay in New South Wales, Bunbury and Esperance in Western Australia and Sorrento and Gippsland in Victoria.

Like Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef, Lord Howe Island, which lies 700 kilometres north-east of Sydney, is World Heritage-listed.Lord Howe Island - The remains of a seven-million year old volcano, the island is just 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, a crescent-shaped outdoor adventure playground offering excellent diving and snorkelling on the world’s southern-most coral reef. Qantas flies to Lord Howe Island from Sydney and Brisbane.

New South Wales has some great diving and snorkelling spots, from Ulladulla and Jervis Bay, south of Sydney, to Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.

Further south, the waters around Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia become chillier but offer no less impressive underwater sights, whether it’s diving on ship wrecks or snorkelling with dolphins and sea lions.

For the more experienced, there’s cave diving in the area around Port MacDonnell in South Australia, while Rottnest Island and Broome in Western Australia offer superb snorkelling

Port Douglas (QLD): Among the fabulous dive sites found off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, are Split-Bommie, with its delicate fan corals and schools of fusiliers; Barracuda Pass, with its coral gardens and giant clams; and the swim-through coral spires of the Cathedrals. Snorkelers can glide over coral and reef fish life of Agincourt Reef.

Lizard Island (QLD): Snorkel over 150-year-old giant clams — as well as gorgeous underwater coral — in the Clam Garden, off this exclusive resort island northeast of Cairns. Nearby is the famous Cod Hole, where divers can hand-feed giant potato cod.

Cairns (QLD): Moore, Norman, Hardy, Saxon, and Arlington reefs and Michaelmas and Upolu cays — all about 90 minutes off Cairns — offer great snorkeling and endless dive sites. Explore on a day trip from Cairns or join a live-aboard adventure.

Coral Sea (QLD): In this sea east of the Great Barrier Reef off north Queensland, you’ll see sharks feeding at Predator’s Playground; 1,000m (3,280 ft.) drop-offs in the Abyss; reefs covering hundreds of square miles; and tropical species not found on the Great Barrier Reef. This is not a day-trip destination; many dive operators run multiday trips on live-aboard vessels. Visibility is excellent — up to 100m (328 ft.).

Yongala wreck (QLD): Sunk by a cyclone in 1911, the 120m (394 ft.) SS Yongala lies in the Coral Sea off Townsville. Schools of trevally, kingfish, barracuda, and batfish surround the wreckage; giant Queensland grouper live under the bow, lionfish hide under the stern, turtles graze on the hull, and hard and soft corals make their home on it. It’s too far for a day trip; live-aboard trips run from Townsville and Cairns.

The Whitsunday Islands (QLD): As well as Blue Pearl Bay, these 74 breathtaking islands offer countless dive sites both among the islands themselves and on the Outer Great Barrier Reef 90 minutes away. Bait Reef on the Outer Reef is popular for its cascading drop-offs. Snorkelers can explore not just the Outer Reef, but also patch reefs among the islands and rarely visited fringing reefs around many island shores.

Heron Island (QLD): Easily the number-one snorkel and dive site in Australia. If you stayed in the water for a week, you couldn’t snorkel all the acres of coral stretching from shore. Take your pick of 22 dive sites: the Coral Cascades, with football trout and anemones; the Blue Pools, favored by octopus, turtles, and sharks; and Heron Bommie, with its rays, eels, and Spanish dancers; and more. Absolute magic.

Lady Elliot Island (QLD): Gorgeous coral lagoons, perfect for snorkeling, line this coral cay island off the town of Bundaberg. Boats take you farther out to snorkel above manta rays, plate coral, and big fish. Divers can swim through the blow hole, 16m (52 ft.) down, and see Gorgonian fans, soft and hard corals, sharks, barracudas, and loads of reef fish.

Rottnest Island (WA): Just 19km (12 miles) off Perth, this former prison island has excellent snorkeling and more than 100 dive sites. Wrecks, limestone overhangs, and myriad fish will keep divers entertained. There are no cars, so snorkelers should rent a bike and snorkel gear, buy a visitor center map of suggested snorkel trails, and head off to find their own private coral garden. The sunken grotto of Fishhook Bay is great for fish life.

Ningaloo Reef (WA): A well-kept secret is how we’d describe Australia’s second great barrier reef, stretching 260km (161 miles) along the Northwest Cape halfway up Western Australia. Coral starts right on shore, not 90 minutes out to sea as at the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel or dive with manta rays, and dive to see sharks, angelfish, turtles, eels, grouper, potato cod, and much more. Snorkel with whale sharks up to 18m (59 ft.) long from March to early June.

Come play Down Under. Whether in our natural wonders or buzzing cities, Australia offers a diverse range of experiences – dive the Great Barrier Reef, laze on the beach in Bryon Bay or dance till dawn in a Melbourne nightclub. No matter what you do, you’ll make a heap of Aussie mates a long the way. With these great deals below, that Australian vacation doesn’t have to be a dream.

Spa Vacations

We all need time out now and again, and Australia makes good use of the naturally soothing properties of its forests and beaches to come up with a choice of spas and specialist health resorts that are among the world’s best, providing the ultimate in rest and relaxation.

Healing spa

Centrally located in Daylesford, the spa capital of Australia, the Massage Healing Centre is a total health centre known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere and its effectiveness in massaging away the stresses that can build up from everyday life.

You’ll begin with a consultation that leads to a treatment tailored specifically for your needs. The centre, under the direction of Isobel Esmore, has health care professionals from many different areas, each with their own speciality. The range of treatments includes various massages, such as relaxation, therapeutic, remedial, Bowen, shiatsu and reiki spiritual healing. Diet and herbal advice is also available, as well as tarot and astrology consultations. Spa baths with salts, aromatherapy or essential oils are another option, and vega testing is available on the premises.

Clients are sent away with recommendations for future maintenance of their body and a guarantee of a wonderful release of stress.

Day spa

Whether you’re looking for the warm oil stream of Ayurvedic Shirodhara or a relaxing massage with hot stones on chakra points, Australian day spas offer a complete range that varies from the esoteric to more well-known aromatherapy, remedial and lymphatic massages. And, if treatments promoting skin vitality are what you’re looking for, deep cleansing mud wraps and sea salt exfoliations are also easy to find.

In Sydney, try Venustus beauty and body lab - favourite of Eartha Kitt, Nicole Kidman and the Corrs, the Zen Day Spa - a hit with Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss or Aveda Day Spa preferred by Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue. Or, if you’re travelling out of town, a stopover at The Golden Door Resort Spa in the Hunter Valley for treatments including a refreshing Vichy rain shower or fragrant floral bath is highly recommended.

In Melbourne, relaxation and wellbeing are on offer at Stephanie’s Skin Fitness South Yarra, Crown Day Spa and Spa Chakra at Southbank. In Daylesford, at the Springs Retreat Spa house, red hot granite is plunged into a copper cauldron of lavender water to produce clouds of skin-cleansing steam.

Rejuvenate and rebalance in Adelaide, at Visible Changes, where expert therapists pamper as well as treat specific concerns, in Perth’s Keturah Day Spa, Highgate and Fremantle, or the award winning Outshine in Brisbane well-known for warm oil essences, microdermabrasion and reflexology.

Fountain of health

Located in the Southern Highlands about halfway between Sydney and Canberra, Solar Springs Health Retreat is a health resort with the emphasis on food, fitness and pampering.

Beginning with a comprehensive physical health assessment that identifies individual strengths and weaknesses and recommends guidelines for future improvement, Solar Springs offers a total approach to physical and mental health. Treatment involves exercise, diet and relaxation therapy. A dietician is available to give a complete, personal analysis of dietary intake. The analysis process generates a computer printout that highlights all aspects of diet including intakes of fat, fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Exercise classes at Solar Springs include aquaerobics, aerobics, power walking, bushwalking, cycling, tennis, swimming, pool volleyball, basketball, weight training, tai chi, yoga meditation and archery. Personal training sessions are developed for each client, and guests are encouraged to focus on their personal goals with the assistance of a lifestyle program coordinator. An intensive program of skin and body care - including massages, body wraps and peels - is another speciality at the resort.

The surroundings are sublime. Solar Springs Health Retreat is located in Bundanoon on the edge of the Morton National Park, a rugged area of inspiring natural beauty. The retreat is surrounded by landscaped grounds that have been designed to enhance and complement the relaxation process. Meals score high marks for flavour as well as health.

Romance requires a perfect backdrop, and when it comes to weddings and honeymoons, Australia’s luxury resorts and grand country-house hotels will bring an extra touch of sparkle to make them unforgettable occasions.

Before too long, you could be strolling hand in hand beside the Sydney Opera House, or sleeping in a “swag� in the Outback under the stars. Next you could be gliding down a tropical river, or being massaged by a waterfall as it plunges over sheer, red cliffs millions of years old.

Then there’s the wildlife, the golden beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests – plus the sophisticated cities, fantastic food and wine, world class entertainment and the fun-loving, friendly people.

And whether you stay in a five-star deluxe resort, a city hotel or a wilderness retreat, Australia’s warm hospitality will ensure a perfect start to a new life together.

Marriage Requirements: Couples who wish to be married in Australia are required to submit a Notice of the Intended Marriage with their chosen celebrant. Civil and religious marriage celebrants are listed on the Attorney General’s Commonwealth website, at http://www.law.gov.au/celebrants. The form must be submitted at least one month and one day before the marriage is to take place (and not more than 18 calendar month’s notice of an intended date of marriage.) This form must be signed and witnessed either by an Australian Consular Official or Diplomatic Officer.

Personal identification (such as a passport, birth certificate, etc.) is also required. Check with your celebrant to ensure you have the correct legal identification.

Top ten reasons to plan your honeymoon in Australia

Australia is a land full of powerful experiences just waiting to be discovered. Watch the sun set over the vast red-painted Outback, dive the aquatic playground of the Great Barrier Reef or learn about the world’s oldest continuous culture.

Want to escape? Then, indulge in resort spas in the most exotic locales: the Daintree Rainforest, private tropical islands or Tasmania’s forests.

Australia’s climate and the fact that it’s the driest continent on earth make it a fabulous year-round destination.

Wherever you go in Australia, you’ll find people with a passion for getting the most out of life. While Australians have a reputation for being a little wild at times, their love of fine dining, arts and music go hand in hand with their love of sport, the beach and BBQs.

Australia isn’t as far as you think. It’s only a movie or two, a couple of meals and an in-flight nap, on top notch airlines.

And it’s a great value. With well-priced deals, the exchange rate and the lower cost of living in Australia, you get more for less.

From dramatic cliffs with surf swells below to gorgeous calm beaches, this island continent is one long stretch of white sand. Surf, picnic, or play on one of the 7,000+ beaches (FYI- that’s more than any other nation).

Where else can you try to out-jump a kangaroo, cuddle a koala, or howl with a dingo?

Become immersed in a different culture. The common language may be English, but the friendly, welcoming people, their history and sense of humour set Australians apart.

In Australia, you take away more than postcards and pictures; you bring back unforgettable, life-changing experiences and stories to share.

1.How large is Australia?

Australia is the only nation to occupy an entire continent. It has a land mass of about 7.7 million square kilometers. It is the flattest of all continents and, after Antarctica, the driest of continents, yet it has extremes of climate and topography. There are rainforests and vast plains in the north, snowfields in the southeast, desert in the centre and fertile croplands in the east, south and southwest. About one third of the country lies in the tropics. Australia has a coastline of 36,735km.

2.Where can I get tourism information about Australia?

Call the Australian Tourist Commission in your country for a copy of its latest tourist brochure or contact the Australian embassy or consulate.

3.Do I need a visa to go to Australia for a holiday?

To travel to Australia (also on stopovers) you need a valid passport and a “Electronic Travel Authority” (ETA), which can be issued free of charge on the spot by all airline-ticketing offices or the Travel Agent that is making your flight arrangements into Australia except passport holders of Zealand . New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa before travelling to Australia. For further information contact the Visa office at your local consulate office.

4.Do I need vaccinations before I travel to Australia?

North Queensland is one of the few tropical areas in the world where malaria does not exist. There are isolated cases of dengue fever and other rare tropical diseases, which are of no concern to the medical authorities. So there is no need for special prophylactic treatment or vaccinations.

The other regions with moderate climates don’t require any special attention at all. Just make sure you keep your usual immunisations current, which you should have anyway (eg. polio, tetanus). It is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance cover for Australia.

5.What is Australian Currency like?

Decimal currency, introduced to Australia in 1966, is now represented by coins five, 10, 20, 50 cents and $1 and $2 with notes of $5, $10, $ 20, $50, and $100. The currency has polymer notes in $5, $10, and $20, and paper notes in $50 and $100. Eventually all notes will be polymer to reduce costs and to prevent counterfeiting.

The Australian Dollar is a stable currency. Travellers cheques and credit cards are the way to go. Preferably: Visa and Master cards, AMEX and Diners are not accepted in some places. If your bank account is linked to the CIRRUS MAESTRO worldwide ATM network, you can use your bank key-card to get cash in Australia. Check with your bank for details. Banks in Australia are open Mo-Tue 9.30 am to 4 PM, Fridays until 5 PM. Most centres have Exchange Bureaus who are open ’til late and over the weekends.

6.What are the opening hours for banks?

Banks operate from 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays and 9.30am-5.00pm on Friday.

7.Are all credit cards accepted?

Major international credit and charge cards including Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Diners’ Club are widely accepted.

Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale (EFTPOS) services are also widely available. ATM cards can be used in Australia at both Automatic Teller Machines and at most retail locations so long as they have been validated for international access. To access your account, cardholders are required to use their personal identification number when obtaining cash or services. Please contact your bank for details.

8.What time zone is Australia in?

Australia straddles a number of time zones which can cause problems when communicating between the eastern and western seaboards of Australia. The eastern seaboard is approximately 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) while the western seaboard is 8 hours ahead of GMT.

9.What is the weather like in Australia at this time of year?

Because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed to that of the northern hemisphere. Summer is from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, spring from September through to November.

10.Do you have the same power outlets and voltage as other countries?

No. The electrical current in Australia is 220/240 volts, AC is 50 Hz. Power outlets in Australia use a 3 prong adapter (the third prong is used as an earth). Stores specialising in travel goods have adapters which will enable some electrical goods purchased overseas to operate within Australia although not all of them will. It is also worth noting that the VCR format in Australia is on the PAL system.

11.What can you tell me about the indigenous people of Australia?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people totaled 303,000 at the last census in June 1994, totalling nearly 1.5 per cent of the population. Two thirds of indigenous people live in towns and cities. Many others live in rural and remote areas, and some still maintain a broadly traditional way of life. It is generally thought that Aboriginal people began living on the continent 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, and some authorities believe their occupation may date back 100,000 years.

12.Can I Drive in Australia ?

International Travellers

You may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving. All occupants of the vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times. Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. The maximum speed limit in cities or towns is 60km/h and on country roads and highways it is 100km/p. Signs indicate speed.

13.Is Australia a safe place to travel?

Australia must be one of the safest places in the world. People are very friendly, approachable and have a reputation for their inviting friendliness. If you maintain a common sense approach and exercise normal caution, the chances are good that you will feel even safer in Australia then back home.

14.When is the best weather to visit and dive in Australia?

The good thing about Australia is that it is so big and that there is always a place where it is summer. Being on the southern half of the planet, our seasons are reverse, Christmas is our summer, whereas skiing happens in June in Southern Australia!

So it will depend a lot on your activities to answer this question. In general, Australia is great for travel and diving all year round, especially up north in the tropics of the Barrier Reef.

The majority of divers visit the part of the Great Barrier Reef between the Far Northern section (Cairns) and the southern Great Barrier Reef section (Townsville). For this reason we have compiled weather information for divers about this area. Please check directly with us for other regional info about weather conditions.

Although the North is tropical there are 4 seasons! They are not so defined as in the northern hemisphere, but we have them: Spring: Sep-Nov, Summer: Dec-Feb, Autumn: March-May, Winter: June-Aug.

Diving conditions are usually best late August to early December. The tropical monsoon season is January-March and cyclones can occur then. Winds: Between May and August usually strongest.

15.I have heard about the jelly fish in Oct - May. Is it safe to dive?

Jellyfish occur in all tropical waters. Due to the research efforts and level of knowledge about jellyfish in the northern Great Barrier Reef operators here can offer much better safety and information about this issue than in other tropical diving locations.

We do know that the most lethal species of box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, live in estuaries and coastal waters and do not venture off shore to the areas dived by most dive cruises.

There are other species of jellyfish, including oceanic and offshore species of box jellyfish, which occasionally occur and if encountered can have serious health issues and in extreme instances, cause fatality. These occur in all tropical diving locations throughout the world, including Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean, Thailand, Fiji and Indonesia especially during the warmer seasons.

We advise the wearing of full body coverage using lycra suits and/or wetsuits to minimise the already low possibility of jellyfish stings, but equally important to protect from sunburn, wherever you dive. Suits are not always available for hire, so it is best to bring your own (cost approx A$ 80.00) as there are many different body shapes and a hire suit will never fit you as well as your own.

16.Can I use my drivers license to hire a car?
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road and most visitors get used to it quickly. To legally hire a car a valid national car drivers license (in English) or an international drivers license is needed. Some hire companies require a minimum age of 21.

17.Should I bring any special clothing?

You all might have seen the movie “Crocodile Dundee” - so now the khaki safari look is very popular with tourists ! However, unless you are really travelling off the beaten track, comfortable casual leisurewear is all that is needed. Before packing, make sure to check the climate zones - winter in Melbourne and Tasmania (Jun/Jul) is really cold! All over Australia, you should be careful with sun exposure. Take with you or buy a hat with a broad rim and make sure you always protect your skin with sunscreen (15+).

18.How much tips do I need to give?

Good news: no one in Australia expects any tips for services offered. Tips have never been part of the culture. This is not to say that people don’t like to be rewarded for very good service. Give as much or little as you feel fit.

19.Are airport transfers included with the cruise and hotel packages?

Some hotels, cruises or tour operators offer complementary pick up services from the airport. This will be marked clearly on the product description. Should there be no pre arranged transfer service, all Australian airports do offer very reliable and affordable taxi services and scheduled transfer bus services. Be aware that transfer buses sometimes visit a number of different hotels before they reach your hotel. Here’s a list of approximate taxi fares from the airport to some towns (down town) you might visit (as of Sep 2003).

20.What is the best place to go at the Great Barrier Reef?

The Reef belongs to the world’s largest Marine Park, covering an area of 345,000 square km and is the largest of its kind and the largest structure made completely of living organisms.
There are several good places to go depending on what you want to do.

21.What types of reef experiences are available?

We can organise every kind of reef experience available. From first time to experienced divers, snorkellers to swimmers, there are trips to suit all budgets and levels of experience.

22.Are there entry fees into National Parks?

Generally there are no fees for visitors in their own vehicles, however there are some fees for camping in designated National Park camping areas.

23.Do I need to use extra protection in the Australian sun?

Yes, outdoor activities in Australia are very popular, but the Australian sun is strong. You should wear a broad brimmed hat, a shirt with a collar and sleeves and SPF30+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen on exposed skin. Try to avoid the sun during the middle of the day (10am-2pm) when the ultraviolet rays are at their strongest.

24.What is the number to call for emergencies in Australia?

The contact number for police, fire and ambulance services throughout Australia is 000.

25.I plan to spend time enjoying beaches, what do I need to know about beach safety?

For your own safety and to minimise risks, swim between the red and yellow flags.
Always swim or surf at places patrolled by surf lifesavers or lifeguards and read and obey signs. Always swim under supervision or with a friend and avoid swimming immediately after eating. Never run and dive into the water. Even if you have checked before, conditions can change. If you get into trouble in the water, don’t panic. Raise your arm for help, float and wait for assistance. Float with the current; don’t try to swim against it.